Mikel wouldn’t be happy going into the biggest game of season – the North London Derby – after losing the first leg of a Carabao Cup final to Newcastle, crashing out of the FA Cup after a loss to Manchester United (of all), and dropping 2 points to Brighton when we needed a win to close the gap to Liverpool. He would also not be happy with the injuries and certain players’ form. But he knows a comfortable win today against Tottenham would make the fans forget the shite football we are playing and give him some relief. I always have a lot to complain, but not today because of the seriousness of the game and the opposition.
It’s the North London Derby Day!
First, when we had a chance to close the points gap twice this season, we failed to capitalise. In the previous match week, Manchester United restricted Liverpool to a 2-2 draw and it gave us a chance to close 2 point gap to the league leader. We gave it away by succumbing to Brighton. This weekday has been good again for us – Brentford’s 2 late goals made sure City shared points and Forest gave their everything to restrict Liverpool to a draw while Chelsea dropped points against Bournemouth at home. It has, again, come down to us to make the most of it. There’s 7 point difference with 20 games played between us and Liverpool, and winning us today will close the gap a bit.
And, what’s better than a London Derby at Emirates. Ange do not believe in a sit back and we love that as a team. Low blocks are a problem but not the one who likes to play ball.
Arsenal v Tottenham
Well, we haven’t lost to the Spuds at home in 14 years. Ange is having a tough time with only one win in his last 8 games. There are sitting on 13th position in the table, one better than Manchester United and that’s exactly where they belong.
In the team news, we have some set backs (probably for the good, let me be blunt). Saka, White, Nwaneri and Tomi are still not available for today while Calafiori will be judged before the game. Gabriel Jesus will be out for a very long time, and that’s a very bad thing for us – not because he is a star performer but we can’t sell him yet again this year.
I’m hoping a back 4 of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and MLS (or, Calafiori in case he makes it). We might see a midfield of Partey, Rice and Odegaard with Martinelli, Havertz and Trossard up top.
Coming to the Jesus injury, we should accept that it’s not going to work anymore. He is either injured (unfortunate this time) or in a bad form. I don’t see him winning us more than couple of games in a calendar year so what’s the point. The problem is we can’t move him now, not in this window, not in the next one.
NLD is the most intense game of the season and we are going to miss out best player in Saka. I seriously hope the young blood understand what it means to the supporters and everyone around the club, and we go on to win by 4 goals minimum. We have been on the down slope of confidence after the FA Cup loss, extra time means we would be leggy but today’s not the day to find an excuse. It’s a war and I don’t care if you die for it.
Wrapping up
I’m sorry for not being available recently. Some family obligations and travel made me miss some of our games and I couldn’t post anything. I have returned to my den now and you would be hearing from me a lot more.
See you during the game, and thank you for all the support.
Cheers.
this Spurs backline is even worse than I expected…they just might be the worst we’ve seen this season
how are we not up by 3 or 4 by now?? this could be Ange’s last match if we put a 6 or 7 spot on them
couple of great plays by both Gabs and Raya to save our blushes…can’t even imagine being a goal down against this dreadful Spurs side
I’m starting to imagine.it now…how terribly sad
Fucking hell..
Sterling is having a good game so far. Odegaard needs to be sold and we need an upgrade him.
Ambarish—that’s our season in a nutshell, dominate possession then the opposition scores totally against the run of play with the fewest of chances
Ambarish—are you drunk? Sterling’s been shit, as per, and Ode’s looked much better
how have we not made that Keeper pay for his incompetence?
finally!!! that Keeper is a bloody useless…good on Gabs…shouldn’t have been a corner in the first place though
Havertz should never complain considering his pathetic antics
good on Tross, but the Keeper should save that…this Keeper is the gift that keeps on giving
we should probably win this by 3 or 4 now
Now that’s like a Derby. 2-1. Let’s score 6 more and we should be good.
with Tross playing, Rice is a fucking winger/wide side forward now…WTF
TRVL
Started watching few min late, saw couple of good runs from sterling and Odegaard’s back passes when it’s not needed.
Frankly, I have not been a big fan of Odegaard. He slows down the game imo. He has some great vision and passing, but he is not KDB.
Anbarish—that’s about our tactics and not having a target man like Haaland…trust me, if we did his passes would be decidely more direct…Ode simply needs someone of a similar ilk playing opposite of him so he could get some more time on the ball
Selling Ode??? We’ve missed that sense of controversy Ambarish.
I’m not able to watch…😠but this seems to be following the narrative of many recent home NLDs. We have to stop conceeding first. Spurs sound fucking terrible save for those few minutes leading up to their goal. We need to score again before going a bit more tactical.
KP—you’re not missing much as this Spurs side is the worst I’ve seen in over a decade yet somehow we needed a lucky bounce and some horrendous Keeper play to get a 2-1 advantage